How to Port My Mobile Number?

You spotted a value for money deal on a SIM-Only plan recently. And it fits perfectly on your budget. All seems quite good, great rather – but the question is how to keep your existing number? The answer is – you would have to port it.

This is the guide to help you in the process of porting your current mobile number to another provider while keeping the journey smooth and efficient.

Keeping the old phone number has massive benefits. You would not need to remember a new 10 digit sequence in this digital age of numbers, pins, and passwords. Informing one and all, counts too that you have recently changed numbers. It is not changing numbers on the WhatsApp account, where all your existing data is left untouched and everyone is notified. It means, all those forms and services, which were registered with your current number would need to be changed too. And that turns out to be a huge hassle every time you would change SIM cards.

There are definite steps however which needs to be carefully executed on both your and provider’s end to perform porting on your number. Once ported, your existing number would have the benefits of the new provider. A new and affordable plan would grace your budget too.

port mobile number

How do I port my number?

You will need to have a new SIM pack from your provider ready, and usually, there would be instructions on the inside or they would be printed outside to guide you.

  • More often, you would need to activate the new plan on your respective plan provider’s website.
  • Mention (or check) that you want to keep your current number when activating.
  • Don’t cancel your current service, once ported it would be switched automatically.

That’s it. The provider would now do all the legwork for you. It means that all the databases where your current number’s provider was listed, it would be replaced with the new one. The plan rates and the signal tower name would change too.

  • After the signal loss, it is time to turn off your phone and insert the new SIM card. Then, restart the phone.

If you don’t see a loss of signal straightaway, or you see that the new SIM is also deprived of a signal, then don’t panic. It usually takes some time to switch. Yet, if you are concerned that you have waited much, then there might be a couple of solutions.

How long does it take to port a mobile number?

The time taken by the provider would vary anywhere from less than an hour to seven working days. Why is the time span so long, you may question? It all depends on the network you are porting from. The three networks in Australia – Optus, Vodafone, and Telstra have a host of MVNOs. The MVNOs use wholesale versions of the three networks and provide you with cheaper rates and better value plans. There are issues, however, especially when you port from Optus to Optus.

Why is the same network porting an issue?

A baffling conundrum it is. Porting from the same network to the same network messes up protocols. The new number to the new MVNO has to be configured manually. A simpler method is followed when the number is ported from different networks. Porting from Telstra to Optus is far less complicated. Various websites say that the process would take five business days, but often it doesn’t take that long.

Porting Pros

  • You get to keep your current number
  • The provider handles all the work needed to port
  • Can take less than an hour to port to the new SIM provider
  • Great way to use a better and new phone plan
ryan broadwater
Ryan Broadwater

Ryan Broadwater is the telecom guy at Austele.com. He's been unpacking all the tricky stuff about Aussie phone plans and network tech for over 8 years, making it super simple to figure out what’s best for you.

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